Motor-vehicle.



E; GRUENFELDT.

MOTOR VEHSCL'E.

APPLICATION HLED FEB. 21, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1- 1,203,727. Patented-Nov.7,1916.v

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-' .E.. GRUE'NFEEDL' MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLICATION ruse ran. 21. 19:4.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Jflventor:

.GRUENFELDT.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

Patented Nov. 7, 1916 3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

-APPLICATION FILED FEEL- 2!, 1914. 1,203,727.

BEST AVAlLABLE coin UNITED STATES P TENT oFmcE. 1

EMIL GRUENFELDT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR 'I'O TEE BAKER MOTOR VEHICLE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

moron-VE ICLE.

1 '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL GRUENFELDT, a

subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Motor-Vehicles, of which the fol.- lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in motor vehicles, more particularly motor vehicles in which an electric motor is employed for transmitting power for propelling the vehicle.

One of the ob ects of my invention is to support an electric motor from the frame of a motor vehicle in-such manner as to permit the motor, during thenormal operation of the vehicle, to readily and freely accommodateitselfto any position into which the movements'of the rear drive axle and the framerelatirely to each other may-tend to move the motor while preserving the proper cooperative relationship of the parts.

.P y s Other objects of my invention will be readily appreciated by one skilled in this art from the description of one form of motor vehicle embodying it, which for the purpose of illustration I have in the accomclrawings, shown and hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a motor vehicle chassis, the body therefor and other parts of the "ehicle not being shown. Fig. 2 is a side'elevation of the parts shown in Fig. '1. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the motor, the'front end support therefor'and aportion of the propeller shaft, parts being broken away. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the rear driveaxle mechanism. -Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing the mounting for the rear end of the propeller shaft and associated parts.

views.

the drawings and indicated liy Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail Iii-the drawings, 1 illustrates a suitable frame. It may be formed largely of chan-' t nel iron or steel in the well known manner, or otherwise constructed for its purpose as' desired.

wheels 3, and springs 4, all of which parts maybe ofany. desired construction. Likewise the steering mechanism illustrated in the numeral 5 may be of any suitable and preferred Specification of Letters Patent.

- to describe these parts in detail.

At its front end. this fraihefiis preferably {supported by an axle 2, steering form, and accoi'dingly it is not necessary At its rear end the frame 1 is preferably supported by rear drive axle mechanism 6, driving wheels 7, and springsS, which are preferthemselves also form no part of my invention and may accordingly be of any desired character.

g In the form of construction shown, the rear end of each spring 8 'has'interposed between it and the housing 20 a collar which otatably fits the housing and permits ang n- I 'Patented Nov. 7, 1916. Application filed February 21, 191%. Serial No. 820,114. i i

ably of the cantaliver type. These parts in tu're' shaft of the motor isindicatedat 9";

At its front and rear ends it is suitably mounted in anti-friction bearings 9, 9, respectively. The rear end of the armature. shaft 9* may be connected to the front end of the propeller shaft/19f,v in any suitable manner. For this purpose, I have illustrated a coupling'device 9 which will permlt slight universal movement of the shafts 9" and 19 while causing them nevertheless to I rotate together. .This sort of a coupling is used largely for the purpose of facilitating manufacture and assembly of the co-acting and connected parts. The rear end of the propeller shaft 19? is preferably connected to the front end of the worm shaft 19 by a slidable-or telescopic joint 19.

9* indicates a tube inclosing the propeller shaft 1. and rigidly connected to the motor casing 9' at its front end and at its rear.

end to the housing 20 for the rear axle mechanism 6.

10 indicates supporting means for the motor arranged between its front end and a cross memberl on the frame 1. The supporting means 10 permit the motor to swing iii-substantially all directions, to oscillate about the axis of its armature shaft and to move to and frolongitudinally of the frame ;1, all of which will bereadily understood f'ronr-the following description.

ing member rigidly secured at its rear end to th metcr casing 9'. The member 10* is preferably arranged in nlinement with the I these supporting means, 10 1nd1cates a proJect- 4. f it The opposite endsof the cover 16 are BEST AVAILABLEIQQQE;

axis of the armature shaft of themotor 9. The member 10 preferably comprises a stud 1H" and a sleeve or hollow section llW-one end of which fits over and is rigidly secured 5 to the stud 10. The stud 10" is provided with an enlargedcup-shaped rear end as shown at 10" to fit over the adjacent bearing for the armature shaft. The end 10 of the member 10 is -preferably provided with a 10 flange 10" through which suitable bolts 10 extend to secure the member 10 to the 12 indicates an oil cup, the feed tube of which is screw threaded into an opening formed in one part of the socket member 11. The oil cup 12 is arranged to supply a suitable lubricant to the universal oint in any well known manner. v

13 indicates a, removable cap device screw threaded to the front end of the member I 4 10'. The cap device 13 is'formed with an opening 13 in which the feed tube 14 of an 011 cap 14 is supported and conveys a lubricant to the interior of the member 10', from which it passes through openings 10 formed in the wall thereof to lubricate the bearing 11".

and extending from opposite sides of the supporting means 10. The front end fthe cover 15 is 'detachably secured to cap device 13 by a spring clamp 15, and 'itsppposite end is detachably connected to the socket member 11 bya resilient clamp .preferably secured to the socket member 11 and cup member 10" by 11Slll611t clamps 16,

which permit it to be'removed at will.

By mounting the motor as I have done it possible to get a low 7 hung chassis, and particularly is this true by arranging all of the speed reduction gearing on or at the 'earaxle, as illustratedi.

Of the rear axle mechanism, 6", 6, indipm, respectively, the shaft sections of the driving axle with the outer end of each of which a vehicle driving wheel? has driving connection. the sha'ft'sections are connected-by comfinsating gearing 17 of any approved conion. That which is illustrated in the p "wings comprises the bevel wheels 1?. 17 having a driving connection with the of one of theshait sections, and

15, 16, indicate suitable covers, arranged The inner contiguois ends of bevel pinions 17 between the bevel wheels, each "inountcd upon a shaft 17*" which is sup mrted in the ditferential housing 18. The latter has connected to it a worm gear 18 with which meshes the worm 19 upon the driving shaft 1!).

The worm 19 is illustrated as formed integral with the drive shaft 19'. The bevel wheels 17 are shown to lmconuected with their respective shaft sections t rough the instriuuentality of square passage ways through the gears which receive the squared endsof the shaft-sections. so as to permit relative longitudinal movementof the parts while insuring that those which are connected together will rotate together.

The worm and worm gear and differential gearing are preferably so supported that they maybe easily removed as a unit from the housing 20. Tothis end the gearing is mounted upon a detachable section or cup piece 21 of the axle casing. so. that the gear mount including the support 21 may be sepa rated from the rest of the casing, when the axlesections (3, (3 are withdrawn from the difl'erential gears a sufiicient distance. The gear support and bearing piece 21 is preferably an integral casting suitably shaped. and is secured in position'iby bolts. It is formed with pillow: blocks -or rests 22 in which are mounted the supporting bearings 6 and thrust bearings fi", which directly support the sleeve portimislS' of the differential housing 18, and indirectly the in-, ner ends of the driven shaft sections. The

bearings just referred to may be of any suitable type of anti-friction bearing, for illustration ball bearings of any well known construction are shown. These ball bearings are held in place by a cap piece or bearing yoke 18 which at its opposite ends is secured to the pillow block portions 22 of the removable portion 21 of the gearing housing or case )y means of bolts 18".

The sleeves 18' of the difiere'ntial housing are preferably stepped, the load bearings 6 occupying the inner and higherthat ismore remote from the axis of rotation -steps while the thrust bearings 6 occupy the outer and lower steps. An adjustingring 6 for setting or adjusting each thrust bearing 6, as well as permitting and eifecting lateral adjustment of the difi'erelr tial housing 18 and worm gear 18 is employed. Each adj listing ring 6 has a screw threaded engagement with the adjacent pillow block or rest 22 and end of the bearing yoke 18, which together constitute a supporting ring for the 'bearings and adjusting r ngs arranged therebetween. of any preferable kind,'as indicated a (3* by A lock a bolt extending through the support 18. is employed ,for holding the adjacent adjust ing ring 6 in place. j The parts just described are soshaped,

disposed and correlated that the housing 18 may be adjustedlaterally independently of the shaft sections 6, 6*,for the purpose of insuring proper mesh relationship between theworm gear 18- and worm 19. v

.The removable cap piece 21 of the axle housing is provided with apair of oppositely extending hubs 23, 2 3 in alinement with each other and disposed to receive the drive shaft 19". The outer end of this shaft is shown tolie within the hub 23 which is incl'osed by a cap 24.

fiiwithin the hub 23 so 25 1s an anti-friction bearing disposed as to be longitudinally movable to and fro therein and to su )port lthe free or outer end of the drive sha 19", j'which latter is screw threaded to receive a nut'26. a

indicates an anti friction bearing for thedrive shaft whichis arranged in the hub 23', it like the bearing 25 is longitudinally ings, 25, 30,, espectively.

. indi sites as an entirety a thrust bearing. 3 t oniprises the cylindrical member 36, s acing ring 37, balls 38' and rings 39, 39." The rings 39, 39 snugly fit the'internal "spherical surfaces of the cylindrical section 36 so that the parts ofthe bearings contained within the cylinder 36 may have uni-- versal movement relative thereto.

40, 40 aresleeves or collars for locating the (posltion of the center ring 37 of the thrust bearing. Y

The thrust hearing as an entirety is positioned within the hub 23' between the sheui-- der 23, thereof and a screw-threaded ring or adjustment'collar 32. The ring,32 may be locked in position in any suitable manner For thepurpose I looking ring 33..

have illustrated a The drive shaft unit of the rear axle mechanism, including shaft 19 thereof, maybe assembled as a unit and introduced-as such then placed in position and secured' to the other portion of the housing 20 in anysuitable manner. v v I.

I make no claim to the invention of any novel; and patentable features of the rear axle mechanism hereinbefore described.

The co-action and vcotiperation of the various parts will be readily ,understood, it

being noted that thedi ivin'g force for the an it om? the rear wheels fthrough he rear springs 8 vehicle as an entirety to the frame il*and tliatany tendency of the rear' axle'hhifsingduring operation of said rear axle, motor'and connections therethe fvehicle to turn in either direction about itsiongitudinal axis is abso utely prevented by the nature of the mechanical connections, between it and the frame including the structure,land the universal joint 11 being in alinement with the axis-of the armature shaft, permits these parts to oscillate about the axis of the shaft; whereas, the slidable connection between the ball member 11 and slide member 10 permits movement-of the so motor casing 9f andthe parts connected therewith longitudinally ofthe frame. It will be noted therefore that the supporting means for the front end of the motor casing 9 permit the motor, member 10, and connections between the motor and rear axle and the rear axle always to move as a unit '7 H relative to the frame 1 and under the guidance of the support between the frame and front end of the motor while maintaining the proper relative operating relationship of all of the parts.

By mounting the motor as herein shown and providing the speed reduction gearing entirely at the rear axle, an unusually .quiet operating clectric'motor vehicle is obtained,

- since the so-taspeak sound-board eflect noticeable in electric motor vehicles where the motor and reducing gear are arranged in close proximity to the body of the vehicle, is avoided. 1.

To those skilled in the art of making apparatus of the .class described, many alterations in construction and widely diflering embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scopethereof- My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

I claim:

1. In an electric motor vehicle, the combina'tion with a frame and wheeled supports at the front and rear ends thereof, including rear axle driving mechanism having a housing, of an electric motor having a casing, a rigid connection between the motor casing and said housing, and means arranged in r frntof said motor and motor casing and between the motor casing and said frame for movably supporting said motor, the said means comprising a ball *and socket joint and a connection between the front end of the motor. casing and said oint, slidably. supported'in theball of said joint whereby between as a unit may swing in all directions relatively to the frame and movd to and fro longitudinally of the frame. t Q

2. In an electric motor vehicle, the comvcasing and said housing, and means arranged in front of said motor and motor casing and between the motor casing and said frame for movably supporting said' motor, the said means comprising a ball and socket joint and a connection-between the front end of the motor casing and said joint, slidablysupported in the ball of said joint, and the axis of said joint being in line with the axis of the shaft for said motor whereby said rear axle, motor and connections therebetween as a' unit may swing in all directions relatively to the frame and move to and fro longitudinally of the -f1*an1e.

3. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a frame and wheeled supports at the front and rear ends thereof, including rear axle driving mechanism having a housing, of an electric motor having a casing, a rigid connection between the motor casing and said housing, a member fixed to and extending from the front end of the motor casing, a universal joint arranged in front of said motor and comprising ball and socket members, the ball provided with a diametrically extending bearing to slidably and rotatably receive said member extending from ing, and means for rigidly securing said. socket member to said frame whereby said rear axle, motor and connections therebetween as a unit may swing in all directions relatively to the fro longitudinally of the frame.

4. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a frame and wheeled supports at the front and rear ends thereof, including rear axle driving mechanism having a rousing, of an electric motor having a casing, a rigid connection between the motor casing and said housing, and means. arranged in front of said motor and motor casing and between the motor casing and said frame for movablysupporting said motor, the said means comprising ball and socket members and a connection extending forward from the front end of the motor casing and slidably mounted in the ball member of said supporting means whereby said rear axle, motor tween as a unitmay swing in all directions relativelyto the frame and move to and fro longitudinally of the frame.

5. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a frame and wheeled supports at the front and rear ends thereof, including rear axle driving n'iechanism having a housing, of an electric motor having a casing, a rigid connection between the motor member being.

the motor casframe and move to and and connections therebe- BEST AVAILeQE E gQ motor casing in line with the axis of-the shaft for said motor, a universal joint 111', ranged in front of said motor and comprising ball and socket members, the ball memher being provided with a diametrically ex tending bearing to slidably and rotatably receive said member extending from said motor casing, andmeans for rigidly mouring said socket member to said frame whereby said rear axle, motor and connections therebetweenas a unit mayswing in all directions relatively to the frame and move to and fro longitudinally of the frame.

(5. In an electric motor vehicle, the combination with a frame and wheeledsupports at the front and rear ends thereof, including rear axle drivin mechanism having a housing, of an electric motor having a casing, a rigid connection between the motor casing and said housing,v a hollow member fixed to and extending from the front end to said frame, a ball member movably fitting within said socket member and provided with a bearing arranged to slidably receive said hollow member, the hollow member being formed with openin s in its well, and means for supplying a In ricant to the interior of said hollow member whereby said rear axle, motor and connections thereand at its front end having a universal and longitudinally slidable connection with said f "ame independent of said propeller shaft,

and cantaliver springs, each connected at its front end and also intermediate its ends to 831d frame and having its-rear end rotatably mounted on sald axle housing, whereby said axle may move longitudinally and ver-' tically relative to sald frame.

8. In combination, a frame, a rear drive axle mcludmg a housing, driven shafts and a differential mechanism lncased by said housing, a propeller shaft journaled in said housing and geared to said differential mechanism, torque absorbing meansrigidly connected at its rearend to said housing and at its front end having a universal and longitudinally slidable connection with said of the motor casing, a socket member fixed frame independent of said propeller shaft,

and cantaliver springs, each swingahly con nccted at its front end and also intermediate its ends to said frame and having its rear end rotatably mounted 'on said I axle hous- .5 axle including a housing, driven shafts and adifferential mechanism incased by said hous1ng,a propeller shaft ournaled in said housing and "geared to said differential mechanism, torque absorbing means rigidly connected at its rear end to said housing and at its'front end havinga universal and 1011- gitudinall. slidable connection 'with said frame in ependent of said propeller shaft, and cantaliver' springs, each swingably conncted at its front end to said frame, pivotally connected intermediate of its ends to said frame and having-its rear end rotatably mounted on said axle housing, whereby said axle may move longitudinally and vertically relative to said frame. I

10. In combination, a frame, a rear drive axle including a housing, driven shafts and i a differential mechanism 'incased by said housing, a propeller shaft' journaled in said housing and geared to said diiferential mechanism, a torque tube surrounding said propeller shaft, rigidly connected at its rear endto said housing and extending for- \vardly, a'universa-l joint supported from said frame and having longitudinally slidable conneetion'with the front end of said torque tube independent of said propeller shaft, cantaliver springs, each connected intermediate of its ends to said frame, con nections between the front ends of said springs and said frame permitting relative movements thereof, and connections between the rear ,ends of said springs and said axle housing permitting relative movements thereof, whereby said axle may move longitudinally and vertically relative to said frame.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in the presence of .two witnesses.

* Witnesses: F. R. GUYOIN, FRED C. Donn.

EMIL GRUENEELDT. 4 

